| 1 - Are there any height or weight restrictions? |
| 2 - It appears to be expensive? |
| 3 - Karting is something you do at the fun fair! |
| 4 - If it's indoors is it quite small? |
| 5 - Why Indoors? |
| 6 - Do I need a driving License? |
| 7 - Do I need to wear special clothes? |
| 8 - How many drivers do we need for a race meeting booking? |
| 9 - Is it O.K to drop the kids off? |
| 10 - If I'm not very good will I be knocked out early on? |
| 11 - How safe is it? |
| 12 - Who is behind ScotKart? |
| 13 - What are the different flags that you use? |
| 14 - Is ScotKart Licensed to serve alchohol? |
| 15 - Do you have any driving tips? |
| 16 - Do you offer any other activities? |
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| 1 - Are there any height or weight restrictions? |
Kids Karts (ages 8-11/12), min height 4'3",
Adult karts, min height 4’11”. If you are over 19 stone, or over 6’5” you are going to have trouble fitting into a kart, sorry! If you are in any doubt please visit us, and ask to try a kart for size, it’s no trouble.
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| 2 - It appears to be expensive? |
Indoor karting offers the best value motorsport available – your all inclusive price covers all your equipment, the opportunity for head to head racing, and a full afternoon or evening of non-stop action which would cost you thousands on a race track! ScotKart strives to keep our prices as accessible as possible, despite increasing fuel, utility, Insurance and wage rises this year.
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| 3 - Karting is something you do at the fun fair! |
ScotKart offers a real race experience – using light weight racing chassis made by Biz, with impressive handling and performance, they are real flying machines. Apart from using a 4 stroke engine (you can’t use 2 stroke indoors), it’s the same type of kart you would buy to race. and It’s a world away from the heavy box section go-karts you get at amusement parks!
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| 4 - If it's indoors is it quite small? |
Some indoor tracks are in small units, but ScotKart offer you the choice of two of the largest tracks in the U.K, housed in huge 40,000 and 46,000sq ft buildings. Both tracks are about 400m long, which means the average race is over 2Km long, and we can run up to 14 karts on them quite comfortably. We feel these are the perfect size for indoor karting – smaller tracks can only have simple layouts, and 15 second lap times that make you dizzy, whist any bigger and the karts become too spread out, making for boring racing.
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| 5 - Why Indoors? |
Karting as a sport runs on outdoor circuits, however it was only when it moved indoors with the advent of Honda powered four stroke pro- karts did it become really popular and accessible to the public. The reasons are quite simple – hanging around in the wind and rain is not a lot of fun, and even more unpleasant to drive in. Even the Glasgow summer can be pretty wet and cold! In addition the karts become tatty and rusty, and equipment spoils easily. Most customers also want to race at night, and through the winter, which demands good lighting, which is very difficult to achieve on an outdoor track without great expense.
Moving indoors solved all these problems, and allows customers to enjoy a lively, colourful atmosphere with viewing terraces, PA systems, lap timing displays, and heating – it’s a fun place to be, everything is clean and the track is more predictable. In addition it allows us to build flyovers and ramps for even more excitement!
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| 6 - Do I need a driving License? |
No – it’s not necessary. We provide a thorough briefing and practice laps before you race. However if your nervous come down for a practice session first – it will make a big difference.
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| 7 - Do I need to wear special clothes? |
We provide race suits, helmets and gloves so all you need are comfortable clothes to wear underneath, and flat shoes or trainers. It is advisable to wear warm clothes in the winter. Lockers are available in the changing rooms for valuables.
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| 8 - How many drivers do we need for a race meeting booking? |
You have a choice of ‘Open events’ where you are not committed to numbers, you can book 1 place or 20, and you race against the other groups booked in. Then you have Exclusive events which are available for groups of 8 upwards, though it might be 20 or 30 at peak times.
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| 9 - Is it O.K to drop the kids off? |
Due to the potential risks of karting all drivers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and the disclaimer must be countersigned by them.
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| 10 - If I'm not very good will I be knocked out early on? |
All drivers receive the same amount of racing during the heat races. The only race you have to qualify for is the Grand Final.
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| 11 - How safe is it? |
Karting by its very nature is potentially dangerous, and you should be aware there are risks attached which is why we ask you to sign a disclaimer. However while this is real racing we do everything we can to prevent accidents, and have achieved an excellent safety record over the last 15 years due to some of the following measures:
• National Karting association video safety briefing
• Race directors briefing prior to race events
• Safety wear provided, approved full face helmets, race suits, gloves and neck braces for children
• Practice laps to get used to the karts and track prior to racing
• Karts have wrap around bumpers to prevent interlocking wheels
• Karts checked prior to racing to ensure brakes & steering are working
• Karts have a low centre of gravity so the chance of rolling one is very rare
• Highly trained marshals in radio contact with the Race Director
• Operate RAC Motorsport flag system to warn any dangerous drivers, or black flag them for dangerous driving
• Warning lights around the track to slow or stop karts in case of marshals on the track, or karts spun out
• Race Director has completed the National Karting Association course for Race Directors
• At least one member of staff is First Aid trained
• Barrier system is designed to absorb impact and prevent karts crossing over the track
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| 12 - Who is behind ScotKart? |
ScotKart was set up in 1991 by two brothers - Duncan and Stewart Matthews. Two motorsport enthusiasts who wanted more people to be able to experience the intense excitement of racing without having to spend thousands of pounds. Their intention has always been to offer the best karts, equipment, track and staff to ensure all visitors have a safe and enjoyable motorsport experience. Innovation and constant investment has been key to the success of the company - ScotKart were the first in Scotland to build a multilevel track, install the latest timing equipment, switch to LPG powered karts, and gain Investors in People accreditation. ScotKarts achievements were recognised in 2005 when it was a Finalist in the Glasgow Business Awards sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Scottish Enterprise.
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| 13 - What are the different flags that you use? |
We use a mixture of flags and warning lights during race sessions to advise drivers of the race status, and warn them of potential hazards.
YELLOW FLAG OR FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT
Slow down to half speed, NO OVERTAKING, and be aware of marshals on the track.
RED FLAG OR RED TRACK LIGHTS
Immediate stop, our marshals are attending to other drivers and the track is blocked.
BLUE FLAG
You are about to be lapped, please keep to the right until the faster karts have passed you on the left.
BLACK/WHITE WARNING FLAG
Shown for deliberate contact or dangerous driving. If you receive two warning flags during a race you lose a point, a third offence means automatic disqualification from that race.
BLACK FLAG
Disqualification, please return to the pits. Typically given for three minor driving offences, deliberate 'T Boning' of a competitor or any ariel manouveres caused by going for a non existant gap between karts.
CHEQUERED FLAG
Race finished, please slow down and return to pits at walking speed.
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| 14 - Is ScotKart Licensed to serve alchohol? |
Drinking and driving don't mix - just as on the road! However we normally finish our evening race meetings by 9.30/10pm allowing time to head off for a celebratory drink (we often have passes available for some Glasgow bars and clubs). We also operate a BYOB policy if you want to bring a few beers along for after the race for half an hour. This is normally available for the last event of the evening, or if we don't have an event booked in after yours.
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| 15 - Do you have any driving tips? |
When you watch the faster drivers on the track you will see how smooth they are, and how they stick to the racing line.
Skidding around corners may look exciting but all you are doing is scrubbing speed off!
The secret to smooth driving is to control your speed going into a corner by lifting off the gas or braking (always brake when driving in a straight line, as the brakes only work on the rear wheels, otherwise you will spin), and give yourself lots of room to steer around smoothly. Then accelerate again only when you are pointing in the right direction. Take a corner too fast or too tight and you are likely to spin out and lose the race.
Remember SLOW IN - FAST OUT!
It's a good idea to use your practice laps before a race meeting to try different lines and speeds, rather than treating it as an unofficial race.
OVERTAKING other drivers is the same as Formula 1 or any other form of motorsport. If someone sticks to the racing line it is difficult to pass them. However if you put pressure on them they are likely to make a mistake, take a corner too fast, and that is your opportunity.
Other things to be aware of are that the EXHAUST IS HOT, please don't touch it when getting in or out of the karts. Please ONLY USE ONE PEDAL AT A TIME, or the clutch will overheat and slow your kart right down. Also NEVER PUT YOUR ARMS OR LEGS OUTSIDE YOUR KART, as it can be very dangerous, please always wait for a marshal to help you.
Finally please remember that karting is a NON CONTACT sport, and you will lose points for bumping, or be Black Flagged and disqualified from a race.
Enjoy your race!
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| 16 - Do you offer any other activities? |
Following customer requests we are in the process of adding additional adrenalin sports which can be enjoyed by individuals or groups. In June we are opening a multi-level MEGAZONE LASER TAG ARENA at ScotKart Clydebank which offers you a futuristic experience of battling other teams in a darkened space enviroment with the latest Laserweapons. It's heart pumping stuff as it brings all those video games to life, as you track down and zap your opponent!
Coming in the summer is TERMINATOR TOURNAMENT PAINTBALL at Cambuslang, the first all weather paintball experience in the U.K using arttificial grass, and offering you an opportunity to play the same fast paced tournament games as the professionals.
Both of these activities can be booked seperately for Corporate and Group events or Kids Parties, or incorporated into a mixed ADRENALIN SPORTS session.
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